Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) So what do I really think some 7 months on...

But would SWMBO be just as happy in a Plus Four or Plus Six, thereby saving you a huge part of the cost and quite a lot in licence fees?

Having had 3 P4's, a 4/4 and now a roadster, she wouldn't sanction the purchase of a new p4 so I think subject to a drive and checking the relevant savings account, i may just have to go for it ( yes I know it's a hard life and you really feel sorry for me ) but as you said, happy wife, happy life, at least Racheal from customer complaints won't get much of my money, a very warm thought

You are only here once, and if you really like it why not. I fancy one myself. The boot isn't great but enough for some luggage and everything is out of sight........will you go for the hard top, as getting them off easily and not scratching the paintwork plus storage when not in use can often be a problem, but a nice one to have. I've found it the past taking hardtops off tends to be difficult as it normally requires two and the hardtops are a difficult shape and often a stretch to lift cleanly off the back of the vehicle. If you are considering one wiith a hard top, get them to take it off in showroom and put hood mechanism up etc. so you get a sense of and a feel for the procedure, what's involved and most importantly the weight and awkwardness of removing the bulky hardtop

The CX platform without question is a major step up from the trads, making life so much more comfortable and the auto makes congestion driving so easy, leaving you to enjoy the car more.

We were in Dawlish on a Taffmog weekend. Berrybrook was not far and we went to see their traction/steam engines. My Plus8 was bought from them. While there I was looking at a 2020 Plus Four and we went for a test drive. Both me and mrs sospan were impressed. It was a manual and they didn't have an auto to try. A few days later mrs sospan had been looking online and saw some. Williams had cars so I was encouraged to test one. Visit arranged. Three were out for us to see but mrs sospan liked the colour of another in the showroom. It was brought out, tesy drive done. The auto was superb and converted me from a "manual is the way" to auto. We sat down, talked trade-in and top up. Mrs sospan decided YES. Who was I to argue! So two weeks later I collected the car.
Three years and 23k miles of enjoyment.
A couple of minor warranty jobs sorted. No coolant/rad problems. Combining auto/Sport/paddles means best of both worlds. Relaxed pootling in auto or paddles for a manual session.
I had a list of future proofing jobs for the Plus8 if kept, basically looking at systems for age related signs. Wiring, trim, respray due to normal weathering, possible upgrades etc. The car had done 74k miles and had been pretty reliable. No regrets ( well no V8 rumble apart). Comparing long trips in both, a much better feeling. Auto means relaxed, significant mpg increase, more comfort, superb response when needed. Tried Sport+ but not needed for road use. Just like moving from the 4/4 to the Plus8 learning the characteristics of the car has been fun too. The 2l turbo is a good match for the car. The auto is the way to go, and that's from a "manual only" driver. No regrets.
It's a natural development for MMC for their future. I enjoy hands-on and there's still plenty that can be done. Engine wise....more complex but routine oil/air filter straight forward. Coolant? Seems to ne more specialist due to airlock removal. Luckily there is a good BMW mechanic locally. The B48 is a good engine. I believe ecu map is a Morgan variant developed with BMW, maybe something to think about.

Sorry to hear about the medicals.
I had the same many years ago. We went to a Mini showroom to see a 2 year old car they had. Good lady wife saw the CooperS demo car go out on a test drive and said (in front of the sales rep) "Oh thats the one I want" so negotiation was scuppered. She got it of course because you do don't you. Many happy years in it.

As to the difference, if you can and it makes her happy then life should be as short of regrets as possible.

Mind you you can also use the "shiny thing shiny thing" distraction technique.

As you are driving home you say "I would love to but please realise that means the Gucci/Burburry/Chanel Handbag I had on order for your birthday may be a bit of an issue, what do you think. For the price difference we could still get the other one, the handbag and a holiday for two somewhere very nice?" Even their handbags top out below the price difference

Go for it, the CX depreciation is epic so when you get bored...someone gets a bargain, obviously just mentioning this for a friend who may need an auto eventually

Chaps, after consulting the finances, I find that the man from Delmonte, he say NO, Bugger off you twit, however despite my initial doubts, a new PLUS FOUR could be on the cards we shall se,
Jon, why is the CX depreciation so bad, any ideas. Of course I could always back track and have the suspension modified but as the front is quite stiff, I wonder if it is worth doing it.
Thank you all for for help and comments, great as usual

CX depreciation can be quite steep, especially more noticable with the earlier pre MY23 cars. For example, my MY22 automartic car was highly spec'd costing originally about £83k. I picked it up retail with only 825 miles on the clock, just gone 3 years old for £50k. Whether thats an ongoing trend, or just reflective of the current market being depressed going forward, who knows?. It appears that manual prices are more depressed than automatics, and from various discussions I've had with trad owners looking to move across, all wanted the auto version, usually due to problems with some form of infirmaty be it knee, back whatever. Secondhand prices asked are higher at Morgan dealerships compared with non franchise dealers.

I was fortunate enough to find a secondhand car that was the exact same spec. I would have ordered new, so I kept the new price difference in my pocket and just paid for a better used car warranty. The Plus 6's seem to hold their values better especially the post MY23 cars.

If it was me, I would try and get an extended drive in a Plus Four and get a greater feel for the ride, handling and comfort compared with a trad, then its just a question of how much money you want to part with either buying new, secondhand or updating your current car. The one thing that strikes you in any of the automatic CX cars, is the anount of space in the footwell sans clutch pedal you can enjoy and how much more comfortable the seating and ride is, especially the air con on a hot summers day and its a different experience altogether. I had air con in my 4 seater Roadster and it was insipid compared to a CX system.

I enjoyed my trads, I don't miss for a second the need for greasing the king pins, the unyielding harshness of the front suspension for the often jarring/jolting rear suspension. The CX is still a hard ride, more compliant than a trad, still get that seat of the pants, sitting over the rear wheels sensation, the looking down a long louvered bonnet, but made much easier with power assisted steering, a more conventional hand brake position, no trying to balance clutch, whilst leaning forward to release the handbrake especially on hills.

It allows Sue to drive it with ease, she couldn't drive a trad these days the controls especially steering were just too heavy and she now prefers auto's. That takes us from being a car I can only drive to both of us being able to share the driving and the journey rather than it being totally on me.....For me the acid test is whether if offered a really nice trad or keeping my CX which will loose sheds of money over time, I'd prefer to keep the CX, I think all Morgans are currently out of favour, with a reducing customer base and the CX whilst it doesn't have the rawness of the trads many on here enjoy, it's all the better for it. I think the days of bullet proff residuals for Morgans are noew long gone, be it a trad or a CX.

Why higher depreciation? I think two factors:
1. New price is too high and rising too fast; and
2. Target audience is dying off. All 3 of my kids and partners have little interest in cars. My younger brother (mid 50s) concentrates on the monthly lease cost, never wants to actually own a car. They couldn't tell me what engine they have, only whether it's petrol or diesel. My son in law (in his 30s) wasn't sure what my Plus Six was and was amazed they still make them. Wasn't interested in going for a drive.

As a result, Morgan factory waiting lists are down. I did see an unsold, unregistered Supersport at Krazy Horse in Feb this year. In November last year, I bought a 9 month old Plus Six Pinnacle, with extras, a fair bit over £20k less than the first owner paid for it. 1,700 miles, about £15/mile in depreciation. About £50k less than a similar spec brand new Supersport. I recognise I'll take a similar hit, plan to hang on to it though.

Slightly off topic, I went into a Merc dealer 2 years ago. I asked what the engine was in an SLK 430(?). He didn't have a clue. Didn't even know how many cylinders. Bet he could show me how to pair my 'devices' though and work miracles with the financing package.

Cars have become a commodity / necessary evil for a much higher proportion of the population, who might admire Morgan quaintness, but would never dream of spending their PlayStation upgrade savings on one. 😁

Very interesting reflections on buying and owning a newer Morgan, Jon, your comment about hill starts and handbrake release rang true with me, I have never really got the hang of it, it's just an uncomfortable position added to the silly power available from the V6 engine, I often find myself off down the road at a speed not appropriate to my wishes so we are off today to try out a plus four auto, in the hope that it will prove to be more comfortable, and smoother to drive, my back will thank me I know, as for the knees well that's a different story, getting old is really no fun at all, I am trying hard not to give in, I'm only 18 in my head. This will likely be my last new morgan, next is the electric buggy where I can jion in with the footpath cowboys just off the coach.
I will update you on the outcome of the road test and subsequent purchase or not depending how sharp Dan's pencil is.